Friends,
Can you believe that it has been over two months since HOSA’s 2022 International Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee? The conference, HOSA’s first in-person International Leadership Conference since 2019, definitely “shattered all expectations” for over 10,000+ attendees — members, advisors, industry professionals, partners, alumni, and more.
Nashville’s 2022 ILC marked firsts for many — I recall chatting with HOSA members who mentioned that this past ILC was their first in-person conference, or their first international experience. In what other setting, they shared, could you meet like-minded, passionate individuals from all across the globe: together, living in the moment, and ready for the challenges that await — the challenges our generation will have to face.
Nashville holds a special place in my heart, too. In 2016, I remember myself as a first-year (and rising second-year) high school student, amazed by the prospect of attending HOSA’s International Conference, (nervously) ready to participate in Medical Spelling and attend educational symposia. Nashville was the site of my first International Leadership Conference — and the first International Conference HOSA held, with 2015’s Conference being HOSA’s final National Leadership Conference.
Since that time, though, much has changed. From excitedly welcoming members from American Samoa, China, Korea, and others, to experiencing and struggling collectively with the impacts of a global pandemic — we have realized the only thing constant in our lives is change — and that, together, we are stronger.
At the ILC in Nashville this past June, I recall sharing with some of our partners, in addressing the HOSA-100 National Advisory Council, that after a couple of years unlike any other — marked by unparalleled uncertainty — our members showed up — stronger than ever before. Whether it be through HOSA’s robust competitive events program, engagement with Be The Match, HOSA’s service project, participation in HOSA’s many leadership and professional development opportunities at the local, state, and international levels: HOSA members rose to the occasion.
We saw in Nashville that our HOSA advisors showed up — more resilient than ever before. It was clear: our educators rose to the challenge. I asked our partners — are you ready to show up? Is your organization ready to show up in service of the next generation of health? Only then can we truly achieve our mission — in empowering our members to become leaders in the global health community.
At heart, we can only rise to the moment — together.
As members and advisors return to the classroom, I wanted to share that HOSA’s 2022-2023 International Executive Council has been working tirelessly to lay the foundations for a year unlike any other — a year of, by, and for the membership we are charged with serving — a membership diverse in its background, passion, and interest.
Your International Executive Council has already begun our work in service of you: our HOSA family. At its core, HOSA is family. And each of you — regardless of your age, grade, sex, gender, race, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, membership division, or chartered association belong. You belong. And we are proud to call you a member, advisor, partner, or alum of HOSA-Future Health Professionals.
It is our sincere hope you are as proud as we are to be engaged with a community of 250,000+ members and 2.7 million+ alumni of HOSA-Future Health Professionals. How excited we are to take on the coming year alongside each of you — cheering you on!
We also look forward to seeing HOSA state and local leaders from September 24-27, 2022 in Washington, D.C. for HOSA’s 16th Annual Washington Leadership Academy (WLA), HOSA’s capstone leadership experience offering unique experiential learning, leadership, and networking experiences, dynamic workshops, interactive activities, and more. WLA continues to be the highest level of leadership development for HOSA-Future Health Professionals globally.
Folks — there is so much to look forward to over the coming year. This year, I am excited to write to you through monthly messages. But you’ll have many more opportunities to engage with HOSA’s International Executive Council — through HOSA’s quarterly eMagazine, monthly release of the International Executive Council’s official HOSA Herald — your short, to-the-point one stop shop for all things HOSA, as well as on email and social media, including via Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and LinkTree!
If you are interested in requesting the participation of an International Executive Council member for guest appearances, including fall and spring leadership conferences and special meetings, ensure your State Advisor submits a request to HOSA Headquarters!
There’s a Chinese proverb saying that “the best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.” This year, your International Executive Council looks forward to — in partnership with chartered associations, partners, advisors, and members — sustaining HOSA’s strong standing trees, as well as planting new ones.
HOSA — it is time to rise to the moment. It is time to move onwards “beyond all limits.”
So — what do you say? Let’s do that — together — this year.
With love — today, tomorrow, and always,
Kartik
Kartik Tyagi
International President
HOSA-Future Health Professionals
